John Boozman

Thank you, Madam Chair and Ranking Member Inhofe for having this really important hearing on the task force review.

Sometimes we make it very, very tough on you. I do appreciate you all being here and all that you represent.

We have to put that infrastructure in place and then another problem, and you might comment on this, Crystal, is the fact that we do have stuff in place now and yet families do not know about it. It is not readily accessible.

And again, Crystal, we really do appreciate your testimony.

I really would encourage--in fact, I'd insist that we do that.

I'd very much like to encourage you to make this mandatory starting as soon, as quickly as possible.

The establishment of a national clearinghouse will make it easier for employers to ensure that they hire safe drivers and will prevent unsafe drivers from operating commercial motor vehicles on our Nation's highways.

Motor carrier safety is an extremely important issue for Arkansas and for the Nation as a whole.

I think that myself and Senator Nelson also feel like there's something very special in this field, and we'll be very supportive.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The Federal investment in basic research in nanotechnology has been a striking success story.

There's no doubt that advances in science and engineering are essential for ensuring America's economic growth and global competitiveness.

The field continues to have great potential in addressing some of the grand challenges facing our Nation in energy, defense, healthcare, water, and agriculture.

This is a problem that I think is going to continue to grow. And it's not just this area.

Can you comment on that? Is that currently still a problem, or in the recent years been a problem?

Was that from scientists, or were these political people? How does anybody that is familiar with the scientific process, how do you deal with statements like that?

You also have the problem, too, in the sense that you can have a false sense of security, can't you, in the sense that a test was supposedly performed and everything was OK?

I think one of the things that is so important as we deal with the agencies and things, especially in dealing with issues that really do affect our health, economic matters in the sense that, trying to conform to some of the things that we…

With the high costs that are going to come up in feed stock--you name it--the energy costs, all of these things that are pounding away on them besides the flooding, the drought, and this and that.

I think the lesson that we have learned today is if you want to not have to answer a lot of questions and be safe with your testimony you need to be up here with Dr. Glauber in the future.

And then having an energy policy where we lower the price, long-term, would be helpful, I guess? Certainly?

The trade deals that we are trying to work would help that?

We really do not have an energy policy right now. We are not using the resources that we have been given.

They do a tremendous job. They are a great citizen and we are very proud to have the plant there.

I think the Country understands how important this agency is and I know you have your differences.